John Scoular, a spokesman for the bereaved, said: "The families hope that this will mean that some answers are found for the reasons why such a modern boat foundered so quickly in what were relatively difficult, but not impossible conditions.

"Right at the very beginning there was talk of containers in the sea, or it could possibly have been another vessel which didn't realise, or chose to steam on.

"There's never been definite evidence that there was not some kind of collision.

"It has been such a long saga. I think people are really in a sense relieved it is getting near the end of what has been a very sad business and we will get some answers, which may allow all the people involved to get on with their lives.

"The community will never forget this tragedy, but we all have to go on into the future."